The Dawes Act of 1887, which introduced the blood
quantum as a means of conferring Native American identity
on tribal peoples, further complicated matters, introducing
race as a factor into Dakota marriages. Although Dakota
people are members of a sovereign government, federal
recognition of traditional Dakota marriages was almost
certainly an issue after the turn of the century. It is
likely that many Dakota people were forced to marry in
a Christian or a civil ceremony. Whereas race had previously
been mostly irrelevant to Dakota relationships, federal
Indian identification policy made it relevant, as children
of marriages between Dakota and non-Dakotas could conceivably
lose their rights as tribal citizens if their degree of
Indian blood dropped below a certain level.

Once issues of property and race were forcibly introduced
into the Dakota peoples concept of marriage and
relationships, it was difficult for cultural practices
such as courtship, which was based on love and personal
and social responsibility, to continue unabated. Nevertheless,
through the art of Seth Eastman and the music of Bryan
Akipa, we can maintain a connection to those original
concepts, which affirm love and commitment as the core
of any marriage, rather than what might be gained materially
or legally.